The "Aussie larrikin" who dropped out of high school and founded the massive Eagle Boys pizza chain has launched a book backgrounding the highs and lows of the 20 year old business.


Tom Potter has written a part memoir, part business book recounting his experience growing the Eagle Boys Pizza franchise from a single store in his home town of Albury in 1987 to the largest independent pizza chain in Australasia.

Potter says the book - The Eagle Boys Pizza Story - was a true story about ‘making it’ in franchising the hard way.

“The book is written by me, from the driver’s seat with no agenda except to tell it like it is with the highs and lows included,” he said. “It’s 20 years of tough lessons and plenty of blood sweat and tears and some laughs poured into a little over 200 pages.”

The book chronicles Tom’s journey from leaving school at age 15 and becoming a baker, to the opening of the first Eagle Boys Pizza store in Albury with his Mum as partner. It then leads the reader through the journey of the rapid expansion of the business, the much publicised war with industry heavyweights Dominos and Pizza Hut and expansion overseas all leading to the eventual sale in 2007.

Tom said he wanted to pass on some of the valuable lessons he learnt during his Eagle Boys’ years.

“While it was important for me to tell my story and recognise the people who helped me along the way, the main reason I put pen to paper was so people could avoid some of the mistakes I made. I hope that it might make someone’s business journey that little bit smoother.

“I’m a country kid who had a good idea and managed to capitalise on it, but not without lots of wrong turns.”

Writing the book part-time over four months Tom said it was amazing to look back over what had been a dramatic 20 years in franchising.

“It’s been one hell of a ride and it was pretty incredible to look back at everything we achieved with the business and all the great people who were involved.”

For those about to bite into business for themselves, Tom gave the following advice.

“Do your research and surround yourself with good mentors. Do it for the right reasons, which are hopefully following your passions and be prepared to make the tough decisions, of which there will be plenty.”

* Tom Potter's book can be bought online from Inside Retailing's store www.RetailBooks.com.au